The only thing I ever wanted in my life as a child was a puppy. Especially one for Christmas. I remember writing Santa for four straight Christmases for a puppy. And I also remember disliking Santa every year he didn’t get me one. Ha

But it wasn’t Santa who brought Mickey into our lives, it was magical timing where all of my puppy-wanting pieces fell into place. On one fateful Sunday afternoon, I finally got to take home a puppy from the Sunday adoption pet shop.

My friends and I would make excuses to go every Sunday to restock on pet supplies while secretly hoping that my parents would see the light and want to adopt a puppy. There was a litter of puppies that we had met the Sunday before and fell in love with. When they were still there the next week, the next step would be to somehow convince my Dad that we needed a puppy. I think it was just pure luck that he actually agreed to come to the pet shop to check out the little puppies because he had been so reluctant the Sunday’s before.

Well, after our third trip that Sunday to the pet shop, my Dad found one that pulled at all of our heart strings and was adopted as a new member of the Reilly family. I finally had a little brother and would not be an only child. He was a big puppy and quite heavy, but I just remember hugging his little warm body and his soft fur and his cute sleepy face all the way home. He was all that I had been dreaming for.

We named him Mickey and he grew bigger and bigger every week. He was sweet and loving and wild and rambunctious. Barking all night so that we would come and be with him. I loved him very much and so did my friends and family. He ate one whole couch, pillows and all, so many pairs of shoes and sunglasses, remote controls, anything he could get his teeth on.

I loved when he would go into my room and take my stuffed animals and leave them around the house. As soon as you got home, he would be so shy, you would know what he had done.

All of the amazing memories I have shared with Mickey. But most of all I’m so happy and thankful to have had him in my life.

Rest in Peace Mickey.

You were the best little brother I could have asked for.

I will love you always. Xx